The day dedicated to the worship of Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva is known as Ganesha Chaturthi which is the fourth day in the light half of the month of Bhadrab. Ganesha, the God of the masses is one among the most important deity in the Hindu pantheon. He is the remover of all obstacles and bestower of success. His elephant head suggests cool-brain and the steed, rat suggests perseverance; the two qualities that are important to achieve success. In the worship of all other Gods, even of His father Shiva, Ganesha is invoked in the beginning. There is no ritual without a prayer to Him. Almost in every important shrine of Odisha Ganesha appears as a Parswa Devata or the guardian deity.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in all the educational institutions and also in public places. Highly gilded images of the deity are worshipped with great devotion. The business community, especially the shopkeepers preserve an image of Ganesha. They pray to Him daily for their success. On this day they change the image with a new one and immerse the old in a river or tank.
Source – Internet
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